What does pluralise mean?
To pluralise is to make a word or expression refer to more than one person, thing, or unit. In grammar, the term commonly describes the formation of a plural form, such as changing “child” to “children” or “box” to “boxes.” It can also mean rewriting a word or phrase in the plural, as when an editor changes a heading from “Comment” to “Comments.” The word is especially associated with spelling, grammar, computing, and publishing, where labels and headings may need to change according to the number of items being presented. In British English it is normally written pluralise, whereas pluralize is the standard US spelling. The related adjective or adverb form, pluralisation or pluralization, describes the process itself. Although pluralise may sound purely technical, it remains useful in describing any deliberate change from a singular form to a plural one.
verbTo give a word more than one grammatical form, or to express a quantity using a plural form rather than the singular. It can also mean to make a noun refer to more than one person, thing, or unit.
- To give a word more than one grammatical form, especially by changing a singular noun into a plural noun.
- To express a quantity using a plural form, especially when referring to a number of people or things.
- To make something refer to multiple people, objects, or units.
"The editor asked her to pluralise the heading without changing its meaning."
"The software automatically pluralises labels when it creates more than one item."
"The report pluralises the figures without indicating whether they are exact or rounded."
One small letter changes the number: in British English, adding an s can turn a singular into a plural, and the verb pluralise describes that transformation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pluralise come from?
The verb was formed in the 17th century from the adjective plural and the suffix -ise, meaning “to make” or “to cause to be.” Plural itself entered English through French from Latin pluralis, meaning “containing more than one,” ultimately related to Latin plus, “more.” The same Latin root appears in English words such as plus, surplus, and plurality.
Related word forms
How pluralise is actually used
In formal grammar, the term is often used for the process of forming a plural, such as adding -s or -es. In everyday editorial contexts, it often means simply changing a singular heading or noun to a plural form. The British spelling is generally pluralise, while US English uses pluralize.
Easily confused with pluralise
Pluralize is the usual American spelling of the same verb, while pluralise is the standard British spelling.
Pluralise changes a word or expression into a plural form, whereas singularise changes it into the singular.